51. A population of crickets invading a new grassland showed a population growth pattern as shown in the figure:

Following is the list of potential interpretations:=
A. Environment is damaged due to population overshooting its K
B. The resources did not recover and population dies out
C. Carrying capacity is lowered due to shift in environmental conditions.
Which one of the following options/combination of options can correctly explain the cricket growth pattern?
(1) A only (2) B only
(3) A and C only (4) B and C only

Introduction

When a population of crickets invades a new grassland, it often grows rapidly, sometimes overshooting the land’s carrying capacity (K). However, this boom can be followed by a sudden and dramatic population crash. Understanding the reasons behind such growth patterns is crucial for ecologists, farmers, and anyone interested in sustainable pest management or insect farming.

The Growth and Crash Pattern

Typically, when crickets enter a resource-rich environment, their numbers surge. If unchecked, this growth can exceed the environment’s carrying capacity. The aftermath is often a sharp decline in population, sometimes leading to near extinction in that habitat. This pattern is not unique to crickets—many invasive or opportunistic species display similar dynamics.

Interpreting the Population Crash

Given the options:

• A. Environment is damaged due to population overshooting its K

• B. The resources did not recover and population dies out

• C. Carrying capacity is lowered due to shift in environmental conditions

The correct explanation is a combination of B and C only.

Why B and C Explain the Crash

• B: Resources Did Not Recover and Population Dies Out
  When a population overshoots its carrying capacity, it consumes resources faster than they can regenerate. This leads to resource exhaustion, and if the environment cannot recover quickly enough, the population collapses. In the case of crickets, overgrazing or overconsumption of available plant matter can result in food scarcity, causing mass mortality and sometimes local extinction.

• C: Carrying Capacity Lowered Due to Environmental Shift
  Sometimes, the act of overshooting itself damages the environment so severely that its ability to support life is permanently reduced. For example, overgrazing can lead to soil erosion or loss of plant diversity, lowering the carrying capacity. Additionally, external factors like drought, climate change, or human intervention can further reduce the land’s ability to sustain large populations.

Why Not Option A Alone?

While environmental damage (A) is a factor, it is not the sole explanation. The critical outcomes are the failure of resources to recover (B) and the reduction in carrying capacity (C), both of which lead to the observed population crash.

Supporting Insights from Research

• Population Density Effects: High-density cricket populations experience suppressed growth and increased mortality, especially when resources are limited or environmental conditions worsen.

• Environmental Degradation: Overharvesting and overpopulation can damage the grassland ecosystem, reducing its ability to support crickets and other species in the future.

• Carrying Capacity Shifts: Human activities, climate change, and overconsumption can all shift the carrying capacity downward, making it harder for populations to rebound after a crash.

Real-World Examples

• Locust Plagues: Similar to crickets, locusts can devastate grasslands, leading to long-term reductions in productivity and carrying capacity.

• Wild Cricket Harvesting: Overharvesting in Cambodia has led to declining wild cricket populations, with experts noting that the ecosystem struggles to recover when populations are severely depleted.

Conclusion

When a cricket population in a new grassland crashes after rapid growth, the most accurate explanations are that resources failed to recover and the carrying capacity was lowered due to environmental shifts. Therefore, the correct combination is B and C only.